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Economy of Congo vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $2.27B for Lesotho, ranking 141/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $1.29B (56.8% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Congo vs Lesotho GDP by year

Congo
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Lesotho
2024 $15,719,986,077 $2,271,759,455
2023 $15,321,055,823 $2,117,962,445
2022 $15,817,030,155 $2,354,980,960
2021 $14,825,690,211 $2,412,130,057
2020 $11,468,687,464 $2,053,699,864
2019 $13,976,637,780 $2,390,702,296
2018 $14,773,900,289 $2,556,247,292
2017 $11,834,473,039 $2,306,741,672
2016 $10,931,328,151 $2,114,426,452
2015 $12,434,793,867 $2,359,686,725
2014 $17,919,321,078 $2,441,063,054
2013 $17,958,720,699 $2,367,112,932
2012 $17,692,911,296 $2,477,702,216
2011 $15,655,383,577 $2,579,409,620
2010 $13,148,396,212 $2,234,754,242
2009 $9,723,299,915 $1,740,894,965
2008 $11,649,857,673 $1,766,902,709
2007 $8,782,703,437 $1,682,131,785
2006 $8,072,305,029 $1,800,092,564
2005 $6,650,001,680 $1,682,343,527
2004 $4,656,974,940 $1,511,236,656
2003 $3,503,723,088 $1,157,825,435
2002 $3,034,250,924 $775,777,239
2001 $2,796,704,604 $825,706,961
2000 $3,227,927,698 $887,291,688
1999 $2,354,772,960 $912,773,681
1998 $1,949,481,379 $928,460,893
1997 $2,322,719,103 $998,004,259
1996 $2,540,697,539 $946,112,493
1995 $2,116,003,868 $1,001,894,000
1994 $1,769,365,438 $878,250,945
1993 $2,684,323,623 $835,582,062
1992 $2,933,222,703 $831,029,862
1991 $2,724,853,506 $704,325,367
1990 $2,798,746,050 $596,410,264
1989 $2,389,593,026 $495,409,233
1988 $2,212,536,312 $470,395,801
1987 $2,297,753,652 $402,768,324
1986 $1,849,268,212 $318,858,423
1985 $2,160,872,540 $268,629,926
1984 $2,193,581,365 $333,163,670
1983 $2,097,274,290 $386,699,309
1982 $2,160,640,565 $348,741,684
1981 $1,993,512,323 $434,188,034
1980 $1,705,796,853 $431,542,537
1979 $1,198,749,667 $290,134,593
1978 $878,771,772 $266,570,067
1977 $765,224,029 $193,315,048
1976 $754,549,601 $147,660,037
1975 $767,102,680 $149,558,896
1974 $585,364,634 $150,851,317
1973 $541,973,363 $121,188,716
1972 $410,669,264 $80,913,200
1971 $322,128,019 $76,480,285
1970 $274,960,700 $68,739,973
1969 $265,040,036 $65,967,974
1968 $251,247,458 $61,445,975
1967 $237,397,428 $59,261,976
1966 $220,613,582 $56,699,977
1965 $198,318,064 $54,879,978
1964 $185,693,725 $51,939,979
1963 $172,233,431 $47,039,981
1962 $166,521,240 $41,859,983
1961 $151,675,739 $35,699,986
1960 $131,731,863 $34,579,986

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/lesotho | CC BY

GDP per capita in Congo vs Lesotho by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $972 $3,001
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $916 $2,881
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $919 $2,559
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $992 $2,942
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $1,218 $2,291
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $879 $2,036
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $898 $2,064
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $861 $1,932
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $925 $1,813
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $861 $1,681
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $767 $1,561
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $583 $1,484
2002 $906 $3,888 $389 $1,385
2001 $855 $3,748 $413 $1,350
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $443 $1,273
1999 $776 $3,464 $456 $1,199
1998 $660 $3,602 $465 $1,179
1997 $804 $3,510 $502 $1,154
1996 $899 $3,547 $480 $1,103
1995 $770 $3,434 $513 $1,037
1994 $662 $3,327 $456 $995
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $439 $932
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $444 $893
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $382 $830
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $330 $764
1989 $1,033 - $279 -
1988 $984 - $270.4 -
1987 $1,052 - $236.5 -
1986 $872 - $191.4 -
1985 $1,049 - $165.4 -
1984 $1,097 - $211 -
1983 $1,075 - $252 -
1982 $1,131 - $233.9 -
1981 $1,066 - $299.8 -
1980 $933 - $307 -
1979 $670 - $212.4 -
1978 $503 - $200.8 -
1977 $448 - $149.9 -
1976 $453 - $117.8 -
1975 $471 - $123.2 -
1974 $370 - $128.7 -
1973 $353 - $107 -
1972 $276.3 - $74 -
1971 $223.5 - $72.4 -
1970 $196.7 - $67.4 -
1969 $195.4 - $67.1 -
1968 $190.8 - $64.8 -
1967 $185.7 - $64.8 -
1966 $177.6 - $64.3 -
1965 $164.2 - $64.3 -
1964 $158.1 - $62.6 -
1963 $150.7 - $58.4 -
1962 $149.6 - $53.5 -
1961 $139.9 - $47 -
1960 $124.7 - $47 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/lesotho | CC BY

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $972 in Lesotho, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Congo Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
175/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
2.85%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
164/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$6,545
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
53.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
6.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
18.7%
2024
Population
6681829
2396633

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 53.5% 56.8%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 49.4% 61.5%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 53.8% 58%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 54.4% 54.7%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 53.6% 58.2%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 50.4% 41%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 23% 43.5% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 54.1% 47%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 37.6% 41%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 27% 185.3% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 22.6% 145% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 28.8% 0% 50.8% 83%
1998 25.1% 0% 51.4% 79.4%
1997 22.2% 0% 44.6% 65.7%
1996 15.7% 0% 41.5% 71.6%
1995 27.6% 0% 42.1% 62.8%
1994 30.7% 0% 40.2% 67%
1993 32.8% 0% 36% 71.2%
1992 32.8% 0% 35.3% 64.4%
1991 34.1% 0% 31.3% 11.9%
1990 30.4% 0% 32.9% 18%
1989 20.3% 151.7% 35.8% 112.5%
1988 - - 35.3% 105.2%
1987 - - 40.3% 97.4%
1986 - - 33.2% 92.5%
1985 - - 32.8% 86.3%
1984 - - 26.8% 57.2%
1983 - - 27.2% 56.7%
1982 - - 29.9% 61.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.22B, or 53.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 56.8% in Lesotho, ranking 25/185 and 92/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Lesotho
2024 3.62% 9.04%
2023 5.81% 7.31%
2022 8.94% -6.41%
2021 1.63% -4.95%
2020 -1.1% 1.18%
2019 4.3% -5.72%
2018 5.22% -4.41%
2017 -5.57% -2.02%
2016 -14.5% -9.43%
2015 -17.8% -1.38%
2014 -10.7% 3.16%
2013 -2.85% -2.58%
2012 7.24% 4.56%
2011 16.1% -9.85%
2010 15.5% -1.49%
2009 4.76% -4.16%
2008 23.9% 8.1%
2007 8.99% 10.8%
2006 16% 11.6%
2005 13.4% 4.46%
2004 3.33% 6.05%
2003 0.37% 0.89%
2002 -7.34% -2.44%
2001 -0.71% -2.76%
2000 1.05% -0.95%
1999 -4.75% -15.3%
1998 -5.16% -11.8%
1997 3.67% 0.27%
1996 9.2% 2.11%
1995 -6.38% 5.13%
1994 -10.6% 5.69%
1993 -11.3% 7.55%
1992 -12.7% 4.65%
1991 -11.2% 9.74%
1990 -4.1% 8.78%
1989 0.78% 3.88%
1988 - -1.87%
1987 - -2.85%
1986 - 0.87%
1985 - 1.68%
1984 - 4.82%
1983 - 1.85%
1982 - -2.03%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $568M, equivalent to 3.62% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $205M, or 9.04% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.81% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Lesotho
2024 3.1% 6.11%
2023 4.3% 6.34%
2022 3% 8.27%
2021 2% 6.05%
2020 1.4% 4.98%
2019 0.4% 5.19%
2018 1.2% 4.75%
2017 0.4% 4.45%
2016 3.2% 6.6%
2015 3.2% 3.22%
2014 0.9% 5.37%
2013 4.6% 4.87%
2012 5% 6.05%
2011 1.8% 5.04%
2010 0.4% -2.41%
2009 4.3% -16.9%
2008 6% 10.7%
2007 2.6% 8.01%
2006 4.7% 6.07%
2005 2.5% 3.44%
2004 3.7% 5.02%
2003 1.7% 6.63%
2002 3% 33.8%
2001 0.8% -9.62%
2000 0.5% 6.13%
1999 3% -
1998 2.2% -
1997 12.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/lesotho | CC BY

Over the past 25 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.59%, compared with 5.13% in Lesotho. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 6.11% in Lesotho.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Lesotho
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $137K
Miscellaneous $6K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K

Balance of trade

Congo Lesotho
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
$89.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
+3.93%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$1.67B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$965M
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$415M
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$15.4M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
98.6%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
42.9%
2023

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Congo Lesotho
Economic freedom 48.6 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 130/197
Property rights 28.7 41.7
Government integrity 13.9 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 43.6
Tax burden 73.7 76.4
Government spending 85.8 21.3
Fiscal health 80.8 93.5
Business freedom 35.8 50.6
Labor freedom 52.4 57
Monetary freedom 78.4 74.8
Trade freedom 52.8 65.4
Investment freedom 35 55
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Lesotho
2026 48.6 54.9
2025 48.6 54.1
2024 47.8 51.9
2023 48.1 51.6
2022 48.5 48.1
2021 50.7 53.5
2020 41.8 54.5
2019 39.7 53.1
2018 38.9 53.9
2017 40 53.9
2016 42.8 50.6
2015 42.7 49.6
2014 43.7 49.5
2013 43.5 47.9
2012 43.8 46.6
2011 43.6 47.5
2010 43.2 48.1
2009 45.4 49.7
2008 45.3 52.1
2007 44.4 53.2
2006 43.8 54.7
2005 46.2 53.9
2004 45.9 50.3
2003 47.7 52
2002 45.3 48.9
2001 44.3 50.6
2000 40.6 48.4
1999 41.6 48.2
1998 33.8 48.4
1997 42.2 47.2
1996 40.3 47

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/lesotho | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 54.9 for Lesotho, ranking 130/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
30.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
6.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$3,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
$12.6M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
4.06%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
27.2%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/lesotho | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.